Project Phoenix: Boardroom Confrontation
"Mr. Wang,"
Zain spoke in a calm voice—so calm that it felt lethal.
"If you truly designed this project, then tell me—what material is used in the G-3 structure on page 14 of this blueprint?"
Mr. Wang froze. His lips trembled.
"Uh… s-sir… that would be… silk? I think?"
A cold smile curved Zain's lips.
"Wrong."
He lifted the file slightly.
"It's carbon-fiber composite. And you don't know that because you never designed this blueprint."
Zain turned his gaze toward her.
"Miss Lu," he said coolly,
"would you like to explain how you solved this structure—while sitting in the basement, surrounded by dust?"
Aanya looked up at him, stunned.
He knew.
He had seen everything.
She steadied herself, adjusted her glasses, and began explaining the design in precise detail—step by step.
There was no fear left in her voice.
Only confidence.
🔥 Verdict: Zain's True Face
When Aanya finished, silence swallowed the room.
Zain slammed his hand onto the table.
"At Z.Y Empire, we value talent—not theft," he said, his eyes locked on Mr. Wang.
"Mr. Wang… old creative head of this department… consider this a warning. From now on, any attempt to mislead, manipulate, or steal credit will not be tolerated. I expect loyalty and diligence—or you will answer to me personally."
Mr. Wang's hands trembled as he nodded silently, words failing him. He didn't leave the room, but he knew the warning was lethal.
Zain turned to the board members.
"From now on, Project Phoenix will be led by Aanya Lu."
The meeting ended.
The hall emptied.
Only Zain and Aanya remained.
🌸 Outside the Hallway
Huan Jing was practically bouncing with excitement. She grabbed Qian's hand.
"Did you see that?! The boss stood up for Aanya! I still can't believe it!"
Qian felt the warmth of her hand and stiffened for a second—but didn't pull away.
"I told you," he said softly,
"the boss knows how to deliver justice.
So… how about coffee this evening? To celebrate?"
Jing's eyes sparkled.
"Of course! I mean—yes. Why not?"
🌑 Zain's Warning
Inside the room, Aanya stepped closer.
"Thank you, sir… for trusting me."
Zain turned toward the window. His expression hardened once more.
"Don't thank me, Aanya.
I didn't do this for you. I did it for my company."
He stepped closer—too close—and whispered near her ear,
"Remember this. You are safe only as long as you are useful to me.
The day you become worthless, I will make sure you face the consequences. Understand?"
Aanya met his gaze.
She knew he was trying to scare her.
But behind the cold threat…
there was something else.
Protection.
Her confidence soared after the boardroom victory.
For the first time, she felt like her life was finally getting back on track.
She had no idea that danger had already stepped onto her doorstep.
☕ A Sweet Evening: Qian & Jing
At a small café near the office, Qian and Huan Jing sat together.
The evening breeze was cool and gentle.
Qian ordered a black coffee and a strawberry cake for her.
"I still can't believe what the boss did today," Jing said, smiling.
Qian adjusted his glasses and looked into her eyes.
"Zain Yan may have a heart of stone… but he never tolerates dishonesty."
Then, softer—
"You look really happy today, Jing."
Her cheeks flushed pink.
She placed her hand on the table.
Qian slowly placed his hand over hers.
"I want to see you smiling like this… always."
The moment was perfect.
Until Qian's phone vibrated.
One glance at the message—and the smile vanished from his face.
🏚️ The Darkness of the Mansion
Inside a dark room of Yan Mansion, Zain Yan sat before a massive screen displaying the city map.
"Sir," Qian's voice came through the speaker,
"it's confirmed. Lu Kang—Uncle Lu—has arrived in the city.
He reached Beijing last night. He's currently staying at Aanya's house."
Zain's fist clenched.
A memory flashed—
that same lion tattoo,
those same cold eyes.
He picked up an old cake-cutting knife and stabbed its tip into the table.
"The prey has stepped out of its burrow," Zain said coldly.
"Let him believe he's safe.
Let him celebrate his niece's success."
A pause.
"Because this… will be his last celebration."
🏠 At Home
Aanya entered the house, practically dancing.
"Mom! I'm home! You won't believe what happened today!"
Her mother smiled warmly.
"What happened, my child? Why are you glowing?"
"Mom, I joined the office just two days ago—and they made me team leader!"
Tears of pride filled her mother's eyes as she pulled Aanya into a hug.
"Well done, Aanya. I always knew you were special.
One day, you'll reach the very top."
Part 2: A Small Deal
Aanya glanced at the clock.
8:00 PM.
"By the way… Jian hasn't come home yet? He should've returned from the café by now."
"Maybe work got busy," her mother said gently.
"Why don't you go pick him up?"
"Me?" Aanya hesitated.
"But Mom, I still have some office work left…"
Her mother clasped her hands sweetly.
"Just half an hour. Please? Jian will be happy."
Aanya sighed, then smiled.
"Fine. But on one condition—
I want hot chicken soup tonight."
Her mother laughed.
"Deal!"
"Promise?"
"Pinky promise!"
✅ Café Scene: Fengning & Lu Wei
The soft yellow light of the café was fading. Darkness had deepened outside.
Lu Wei was just about to clear the counter when his phone screen suddenly lit up—a call from an unknown number.
He stepped toward the balcony with a slight frown and answered the call in a heavy, sharp tone.
"Hello? Who's this?"
On the other end, a silky, mischievous voice echoed.
It was Fengning, lazily lying on her luxurious bed, twirling a lock of her hair around her fingers.
"Did you think, Lu Wei," she said with a playful smile,
"that getting your number would be impossible for me? You have no idea how many hoops I had to jump through for this, my dear classmate."
Lu Wei's eyebrows knitted together.
"Fengning? How did you get my number?"
"Hmph…" she paused dramatically,
"I had to beg your greatest enemy for it. But hearing your flustered voice… it was worth it."
She let out a soft, teasing giggle.
"What do you want?" Lu Wei's voice grew colder.
"Why are you chasing me?"
"Because you never answered me back in high school,"
Fengning's tone became stubborn, almost childishly defiant.
Lu Wei took a deep, long breath.
"Alright, listen carefully. Back then the answer was 'no'… and today, it's still 'no.'
Our worlds are different, Fengning.
You are a queen of palaces—and I am just an ordinary man.
Stop following me. And do not call again."
"So angry, Lu Wei? I was just—"
Before she could finish, Lu Wei ended the call.
🔥 Fire of Obsession and Hatred
The moment the call ended, the smile vanished from Fengning's face.
She tried calling again—rejected.
By the third attempt, she realized she had been blocked.
In anger, she threw her phone onto the bed.
"You blocked me? Where will you run from me, Lu Wei?
Anything I desire… I know how to claim it."
She immediately called her secretary. Her voice was icy and commanding.
"Find Lu Wei's home address.
And also find out where his sister, Anya, works."
A brief silence followed.
"Miss Yan… why his sister?" the secretary hesitated.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Fengning's lips.
"Because when a man refuses to come to you willingly…"
Her voice turned into a whisper,
"…you take away what he loves the most."
Her eyes sparkled dangerously.
"My dear sister-in-law… be ready."
Café Scene: Anya's Arrival
At that moment, the heavy café door opened.
The gentle chime of the wind bells echoed through the room.
Lu Wei quickly hid his phone in his pocket.
Standing before him was Anya.
Seeing her, the sharpness in his eyes softened for a moment—though a hint of irritation remained.
"Di? What are you doing here?"
"I came to pick you up," Anya said with a smile.
"Don't come to pick me up," he muttered, clearing the counter,
"I'm not a child."
Anya scrunched her nose teasingly.
"As if I had a choice. Mom sent me… otherwise, I'd be sleeping."
Her gaze fell on the glass counter nearby.
Freshly baked chocolate cakes and pastries were arranged neatly.
A light spark returned to Anya's eyes, like a child discovering something magical.
She touched the glass gently with her fingers and, with a playful gesture toward the table, said,
"But before I leave… can I have that amazing chocolate cake?"
Brother's Love, Sister's Happiness
Lu Wei didn't say a word.
He quietly went behind the counter.
His hands moved carefully, measured. He took a slice of cake, drizzled a bit of extra chocolate syrup on top, and placed it in front of Anya.
As Anya took the first bite, she closed her eyes.
A peaceful, contented smile spread across her face.
No one would have guessed that she had faced a terrifying incident in the past.
Lu Wei watched her from afar.
A silent thought crossed his mind—
"That dark night stole your sleep, Anya…
but today, your laughter… means everything to me."
Shadow of Danger
Far away from the peaceful café, Fengning's anger had reached its peak.
She called her secretary and ordered coldly:
"Find Lu Wei's home address.
And find out which office his sister Anya works in."
The secretary hesitated.
"Miss Yan… why the sister?"
Fengning's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Because when a man refuses to come to you willingly…"
She leaned back against the velvet headboard.
"…you take away what he loves most."
The storm had chosen its first target.
"My sister-in-law… be ready."
Now the story is closing in on Anya from two directions—
On one side, Zain, who wants to use her as a pawn for an old revenge.
And on the other, Fengning, who plans to use Anya to get closer to Lu Wei.